May 2022

What is the Best Lawn for Pets and Kids?

Posted on May 31, 2022May 9, 2023 by Sarah

Our pets and kids are often the ones who will spend the most time out on the lawn. Finding a grass that can thrive while receiving lots of wear will ensure your lawn will look and perform great in the future. This blog looks at the characteristics you should look for when choosing the best variety.

What characteristics should I look for when choosing turf?

When looking at varieties that are best suited for pets and kids, we recommend making sure the grass has a soft leaf that feels great underfoot for the kids to play on, has a high wear tolerance, and has a fast-repairing nature so that if damage occurs it can repair quickly.

How much sunlight does grass need?

Sunlight is another crucial consideration when choosing the best turf variety for your area. If your area receives quite a lot of shade, you will need to make sure you are choosing a shade tolerant turf variety. On the other hand, if the area you want to install turf gets plenty of sun, you will have more options.

What grass should i install for a high-wear area?

TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda

TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda is an excellent choice for high-wear areas due to its fast-repairing nature. This means if it gets damaged by pets, kids or general wear and tear it can repair itself quickly. This grass is loved not only for its fast-repairing nature but its beautiful soft fine leaf that feels great underfoot.

Not only does this grass perform well, it also looks fantastic! TifTuf is a well-known grass in the turf industry for looking great, especially where other grasses fail! TifTuf can be mown as short as 5mm for a manicured look. For this reason, it has been the grass of choice across many sporting fields not only in Australia, but across the globe!

It is the only grass in Australia to be awarded with the Smart Approved Water Mark for its water saving abilities both throughout establishment and after. When choosing TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda we recommend that your area receives at least 5-6 hours of direct light. This varieties fast repairing nature can require a few extra mows throughout the warmer months as it grows at a quicker rate.

You can find more information on TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda here.

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What grass should i choose for my family?

Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo

Sir Walter is the grass of choice for many Aussie families. This is a versatile grass with a beautiful low allergenic soft broad leaf well suited to the Australian climate.

This grass has a soft leaf that can stand up to wear and tear from pets and kids. Sir Walter has a lush green leaf and a dense growing nature giving your lawn look lush! This dense growing nature can also help block out many weeds from growing in your grass.

Sir Walter DNA Certified is a versatile grass that can handle full sun and shaded areas. It needs a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct light per day or scattered light throughout the day. This variety is low maintenance grass. It is best mown between 30 to 50mm high, shorter during summer and longer in winter.

Sir Walter DNA Certified has stood the test of time since it was introduced to the market in 1997. It has remained Australia’s best buffalo grass.

You can find more information on Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo here.

For more specific advice on choosing the best lawn to suit your family’s pets and kids, it is best to chat with your local Lawn Solutions Australia turf supplier. You can see who your local Lawn Solutions turf suppliers are and their contact details by using this link and entering your postcode here.

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Laying Turf in Wet Weather

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Sarah

When laying turf in wet weather, you can take a few extra simple steps to ensure you get the best results.

Ground preparation for turf

When preparing an area for turf we recommend using a non-selective herbicide like Roundup or Zero. When spraying is best to wait for a break in rainfall. This will help ensure that the herbicide won’t wash away, increasing its effectiveness. After your application has taken effect, give the area a low mow. This will help pick up all the dead plant material. This is best done a few weeks before your turf arrives to ensure you have enough time if repeated applications are needed.

Soil for turf

We recommend bringing in at least 100mm of sandy loam (80% sand, 20% loam) when installing grass. For Sir Grange Zoysia, an underlay of 100 – 200ml of washed river sand is recommended.

We recommend bringing in your soil a few days before when laying turf in wet weather. This will help avoid the soil washing away. When bringing in soil, avoid it sitting in an area that regularly has water running when it rains, e.g., near a drain. Spreading out soil will be a bit more of a labour-intensive task. It is best to wait in a gap of heavy rainfall and spread the soil out evenly. We recommend using a rake or a lawn leveller to help make the base level. Once the area is level, keep off the area until installing your lawn.

Laying turf

When your turf arrives, it is best to install it as soon as possible. If your soil levels have been disturbed, it is best to use a lawn leveller or rake to even out the soil. Start by laying out your turf in a brickwork pattern at the furthest away from the exit.

Caring for a new lawn

After laying turf in wet weather it is important to avoid walking on the lawn until the lawn is established. This will firstly help keep your lawn level (stopping any footprint divots in the soil base) and will help ensure the grass can establish its roots into the soil base as soon as possible. If the soil base still isn’t level, once the lawn is established you can top dress the lawn to improve levels. Please note it is best to only top dress in spring and summer while the lawn is actively growing.

If your area continues to receive rainfall after instillation, you will need to adjust your watering. For example, if you area is getting lots of rain, you will not need to water. However, if you do have a break in rainfall may need to irrigate the area. As the roots of your lawn grow into the soil base, you can reduce any additional irrigation. For specific advice on irrigation for your current conditions, it is best to have a chat with your local turf supplier.

Due to the wet conditions, weeds have a higher rate of infiltrating your lawn. After establishment, if you notice weeds popping through the lawn it is best to simply remove them by hand. It is best to avoid using herbicides on the lawn until the lawn is established.

When there are periods of excessive rainfall, the nutrients in your soil base in some cases can be washed and drained away. This is known as soil leaching. To remedy this loss of nutrients you can apply a well balanced fertiliser like our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser or Exceed.

Your new lawn should be ready for its first mow once the roots of the grass grow down into the soil profile. To see if it is ready, try to lift the corner of a turf roll from the ground. Your lawn will be ready to mow if you can’t lift the roll from the ground.

For more specific advice on installing turf in your area it is best to have a chat with your local turf suppliers. You can see who your local suppliers are here.